The Swiss government moves to ban Hamas

The Swiss government announced today (Wednesday) that it would ban Hamas in the wake of the October 7 massacre, and that it intends to advance legislation prohibiting it from operating in the country. The legislation would also impose broad sanctions on Hamas, limiting its activity and that of affiliated groups in Switzerland.

According to the government statement, the sanctions will include Hamas members being barred from entering the country, expedited expulsion, and use of the Swiss authorities fighting money laundering to fight terror funding. The legislation will be in force for five years, but the parliament will be able to extend it beyond that.

“On October 7, Hamas activists attacked Israel and murdered over 1,200 people, among them two Swiss citizens,” the statement read. “In response to this brutal and unprecedented attack, Switzerland has decided to designate Hamas as a terrorist organization. Hamas and organizations that support it will be barred from our country, and will not be able to promote acts of terrorism in Switzerland.”